The Face In The Tube Poem by Laurence Overmire

In order to eat
To keep my kids in clothing
I sell garbage on TV

Oh yes, I’ll tell you it’s the best
That nothing else will do
I’ll say anything they want me to

Because they made me what I am
And you’ll believe me because
You think you know me

You trust the sincerity of my smile
Yes, we all do what they want us to
Pretending we’re happy doing

What we do
Pretending that we really have no choice
It’s just the way it is

And always has to be
No use at all pretending
Otherwise.


(Previously published in The Hold, Aug 2003)